The Senate is moving closer to passing another set of government funding bills, but a growing dispute over Homeland Security money is raising fresh fears of a shutdown.
Lawmakers expect to approve a three bill spending package later this week. If it passes, Congress will have cleared six of the twelve annual funding bills needed to keep the government fully open. However, the hardest part may still lie ahead.
Homeland Security Bill Becomes Flashpoint
At the center of the standoff is the Department of Homeland Security funding bill. The measure has drawn sharp attention following the death of Renee Nicole Good in an incident tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Some Senate Democrats want the bill to include tighter oversight of DHS agencies, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Because of those demands, the bill has stalled and did not appear in a recent House spending package.
As a result, lawmakers may have to place DHS funding into a short term extension, known as a continuing resolution. That option would keep the agency running but delay a final agreement.
Senate Leaders Signal Tough Road Ahead
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Homeland Security funding is the most difficult bill to move. He acknowledged that a temporary extension remains a real possibility if talks break down.
Thune added that Congress still has several weeks to pass the remaining spending bills, though he admitted the debate over DHS funding now dominates budget talks.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats want to avoid another shutdown. When asked if new limits on ICE and DHS operations could be included, he said negotiators are still working toward a deal.
Democrats Split Over Short Term Funding Plan
While many lawmakers want to keep the government open, some Democrats oppose a continuing resolution. They argue that an extension would favor President Donald Trump by locking in last year’s spending levels without new congressional direction.
Sen. Patty Murray criticized short term funding on the Senate floor. She said it gives too much control to the White House and the Office of Management and Budget. Still, she praised bipartisan efforts to move full year funding bills forward.
Murray said passing complete spending bills would allow Congress to clearly decide how money gets spent, rather than leaving decisions to the executive branch.
Clock Ticking as Recess Nears
Time remains tight. The Senate is set to leave Washington for a weeklong recess at the end of the week. Meanwhile, the House plans to take up a smaller funding package that still would not cover all government operations.
Despite the pressure, leaders on both sides say they expect to avoid a shutdown. Thune said shutdowns help no one and expressed hope that Democrats agree as talks continue.
For now, the funding process is moving, but the unresolved DHS dispute keeps uncertainty high.
